Asheville-area outdoors calendar

The 2013 Ramble Run 12K & 5K was held Saturday morning at Biltmore Park. The 5K first place male finisher was Daniel Amick and the first female finisher was Jennings Garry. For the 12K, the first place male finisher was Ryan Woods and the first female finisher was Mina Thorstenson. (Margaret Hester 5-11-13)

Asheville Hiking Meet-up Group: May 18, Sundays and Saturdays, until Dec. 31, Asheville Hiking Meet-up Group, Asheville. Social and hiking club made up of all ages and professions. Free. www.meetup.com/ashevillehiking

Festival Camping Basics: May 18, 10:30 a.m.-noon, REI, 31 Schenck Parkway, Asheville. This course will cover the essential festival gear and equipment, how and what to pack, along with festival camping tips and tricks. This class is free. Registration required. www.rei.com/event/50749/session/70895.

Girls on the Run Spring 5K: May 18, Fletcher Park, Fletcher. Girls will be gathering for the grand finale of their 12-week participation in Girls on the Run. Our program fosters healthy lifestyle choices for girls in 3rd-8th grades. Early registration is $16, and $20 on the morning of the race. http://gotrwnc.kintera.org/Spring5K

Ikebana Exhibit: May 18, N.C. Arboretum, 191/Brevard Road, Asheville. The Japanese art of flower design, as presented by the Asheville Chapter of Ikebana International, will be on display. Free for Arboretum Society members, or with the standard parking fee $8 per personal motor vehicle. 665-2492 www.ncarboretum.org

Little Hump Mountain Hike: May 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Highlands of Roan, Avery County. Come celebrate SAHC's partnership with US Forest Service and Highland Brewing Company with a hike. Learn all about Little Hump. This will be a strenuous five mile hike round-trip. Directions will be sent upon RSVP. Free. Contact Rich rich@appalachian.org

MTA Triathlon and Duathlon at Lake James: May 18, 8 a.m.-noon, Lake James State Park, 2785 NC 126, Nebo. The McDowell Trail Association hosts its fourth annual MTA Triathlon at Lake James State Park at the new Paddy's Creek section. The triathlon consists of a 750 meter lake swim, 22 mile ride, and 5K run. New this year: a Duathlon option, which features a 3.5 mile run, 22 mile ride, and 5K run. Contact Greg Duff 8284005868 greg@gloryhoundevents.com www.mtatriathlon.blueridgemultisports.com

Biltmore/Kiwanis 15K/5K Classic: May 19, 7:15 a.m.-noon, Biltmore Estate, 1 Approach Rd, Asheville. Both races are run entirely on the scenic grounds of Biltmore. Benefit for Kiwanis children's charities. The race is limited to the first 1,100 entrants. Contact Daphne Kirkwood events@iDaph.net http://biltmorekiwanisclassicrace.com/

French Broad River Spring Cleanup: May 19, Headwaters Outfitters Inc, 25 Parkway Rd, Rosman. Registered volunteers for the spring cleanup of the French Broad River should be at Headwaters no later than 9 a.m. Online registration is not available. 877-3106 info@HeadwatersOutfitters.com www.HeadwatersOutfitters.com

Open Water Swimming Clinic: May 19, 8-10:25 a.m., Biltmore Lake, 80 Lake Drive, Candler, North Carolina. Hosted by Asheville Masters Swimming. Learn to swim comfortably in open waters. This clinic just $20 for Asheville Triathlon Club members and $25 for non-members. Contact Andrew Pulsifer LifeSwim@gmail.com

Conservation

French Broad River Spring Cleanup: May 19, Headwaters Outfitters Inc, 25 Parkway Rd, Rosman. Registered volunteers for the spring cleanup of the French Broad River should be at Headwaters no later than 9 a.m. Online registration is not available. 877-3106 info@HeadwatersOutfitters.com www.HeadwatersOutfitters.com

Cycling Clubs

Second Saturdays knowledge and skills classes: June 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., YWCA, 185 South French Broad Avenue, Asheville. The BRBC will hold a ?Confident Commuter? class for $10. Classroom discussions and group rides will be led by certified instructors from the League of American Bicyclists. BuncombeBikeEd@gmail.com

Cycling Races/Events

Lung Buster Time Trial Series: May 30, Etowah, N.C.. The series continues with Etowah River Road Time Trial. Entry fee is $20 individual or $90 to register for entire series. http://idaph.net/events/lung-buster-time-trial-series/

Lung Buster Time Trial Series: June 20, Riverside Drive, Asheville, N.C.. The series continues with on Riverside Drive between Asheville and Marshall. Entry fee is $20 individual or $90 to register for entire series. http://idaph.net/events/lung-buster-time-trial-series/

Lung Buster Time Trial Series: July 5, Etowah River Road. The series continues with Etowah River Road race. Entry fee is $20 individual or $90 to register for entire series. http://idaph.net/events/lung-buster-time-trial-series/

Little Hump Mountain Hike: May 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Highlands of Roan, Avery County. Come celebrate SAHC's partnership with US Forest Service and Highland Brewing Company with a hike. Learn all about Little Hump. This will be a strenuous five mile hike round-trip. Directions will be sent upon RSVP. Free. Contact Rich rich@appalachian.org

Yoga on the Mountain: May 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Blue Ridge Pastures, Fairview, N.C.. Hike to the top of Blue Ridge Pastures, lay down your yoga mats, and practice your chaturangas. Directions will be sent upon RSVP. This event is free for members of SAHC and $10.00 for non-members. Contact Rich Preyer 253-0095 ext. 205 rich@appalachian.org

Take a Geology Field Trip with Friends of the Smokies: May 30, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, U.S. 441, Cherokee. Join an all-day geology field trip through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A donation of $10 for current members of Friends of the Smokies and $35 for non-members is requested. 452-0720 http://outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.org

Hike on National Trails Day: June 1, Wayah Bald. The Nantahala Hiking Club and the Bartram Trail Society are sponsoring a hike on National Trails Day, June 1. 3 miles round trip, with optional farther hikes. Children are welcome. Contact Jim Kautz or Bill Van Horn 524-6593, 828-369-1983 jrkautz@frontier.com

Hunting/Fishing

Apply now for Casting for Recovery Retreats: May 24, midnight, Lake Logan Center, Canton. Casting for Recover Carolinas is now accepting applications for two free weekend retreats for breast cancer survivors of all ages and stages of recovery on May 24-26 and Oct. 18-20. Deadline for applying for the May retreat is March 15. Contact Starr Nolan 215-4234 cfrnc@charter.net www.castingforrecovery.org

Lake Powhatan Fishing: May 30, midnight-3 p.m., Lake Powhatan Recreational Area, 375 Wesley Branch Rd, Asheville. Lake Powhatan will be closed to fishing May 30, and will reopen to the public at 3 p.m. on June 1. Contact Lorie Stroup or the Pisgah Ranger District 877-3350 ext. 219 www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc

Kids Fishing Day: May 31, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Lake Powhatan Recreational Area, 375 Wesley Branch Rd, Asheville. The USDA Forest Service will sponsor a fishing day to allow children with disabilities from local county schools the opportunity to enjoy fishing. Contact Lorie Stroup or the Pisgah Ranger District 877-3350 ext. 219 www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc

French Broad Challenge Triathlon: May 25, 5-8 p.m., Carrier Park, Amboy Road, Asheville. Racers will run a 1.5 mile course to the boat launch at the Asheville Outdoor Center, paddle 2.5 miles to Jean Webb Park, bike up and down Riverside Drive and run back to Carrier Park. Email or call. Contact greg@gloryhoundevents.com 400-5868 greg@gloryhoundevents.com www.gloryhoundevents.com/french-broad-challenge-triathl/

Kids and Family Day/Night: May 25, noon-9 p.m., Carrier Park, Amboy Road, Asheville. Kids and family events at the Mountian Sports Festival. www.mountainsportsfestival.com

Zipping for Autism: June 2, 6 a.m.-11 p.m., Asheville Zipline and Canopy Adventures, 1 Resort Drive, Asheville. Team up with your friends for a day of ziplining adventure in support of The Autism Society of N.C.! All of team and individual donations from Zipping for Autism support the programs and services of the Autism Society of N.C. Contact Simone Seitz 236-1547 sseitz@autismsociety-nc.org www.zippingforautism.com

Asheville Kids MultiSport Event: July 20, City of Asheville Pools Recreation Park, 65 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville. Third event in the Carolina Kids MultiSport Series. Event format is an aquathlon-pool swim in a 50 meter pool and run on roads/dirt paths. Distances will vary based on participant's age category and will be appropriate for each division. Age Divisions: 8 and younger; 9-11; 12-15. Contact Daphne Kirkwood events@idaph.net http://idaph.net

LPC Kids MultiSport Event: Aug. 18, Leila Patterson Center, Howard Gap Road, Fletcher. Fourth event in the Carolina Kids MultiSport Series. Permitting and courses are being determined at this time in collaboration with Henderson County. Pool swim and road/off-road run. Race distances will vary based on participant's age category and will be appropriate for each division. Age Divisions: 8 and younger; 9-11; 12-15. Contact Daphne Kirkwood events@idaph.net http://idaph.net

Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society: May 21, 7-8:30 p.m., Room 102, UNCA Reuter Center, UNCA, Asheville. Asheville's Cerulean Warblers: Singing for Survival. The rapid decline of the beautiful Cerulean Warbler led Charlotte Goedsche on her 15-year journey to document their activities on the Blue Ridge Parkway just north of Asheville. She'll discuss her research and share what she's learned. As this is our annual Birdathon program, a $5 per person donation is requested. Funds will go to land conservation at the Cerulean Warbler Reserve in Columbia and to a $400 UNCA Environmental Study scholarship. Contact JoAnne Rittenberg www.emasnc.org

Oskar Wild Night: May 22, 6-10 p.m., Tasting Room, Oskar Blues Brewery, 342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard. The event is open to the public. SAWS Wilderness Stewards will demonstrate traditional tools, and regional outdoors and Wilderness groups will be on hand with information on their programs.

Organizations

Bike Maintenance: Derailleur and Shifting Systems: May 16, 6-8 p.m., REI, 31 Schenck Parkway, Asheville. Learn to replace your front and rear derailleur cables and housing, and how to fine tune your derailleur and shifting. Please do not bring your own bike to class. This class is $20/REI members and $40/non-members. Registration required. www.rei.com/event/50954/session/71468.

Festival Camping Basics: May 18, 10:30 a.m.-noon, REI, 31 Schenck Parkway, Asheville. This course will cover the essential festival gear and equipment, how and what to pack, along with festival camping tips and tricks. This class is free. Registration required. www.rei.com/event/50749/session/70895

Ikebana Exhibit: May 18, N.C. Arboretum, 191/Brevard Road, Asheville. The Japanese art of flower design, as presented by the Asheville Chapter of Ikebana International, will be on display. Free for Arboretum Society members, or with the standard parking fee $8 per personal motor vehicle. 665-2492 www.ncarboretum.org

Cross Training for Outdoor Fitness: May 23, 6:30-8 p.m., REI, 31 Schenck Parkway, Asheville. If you are interested in becoming more active in the outdoors, join our instructors for a session that will give you some ideas to incorporate cross training exercises into your activities. This class is free. Registration required. www.rei.com/event/48557/session/71489

Asheville-Blue Ridge Rose Society Annual Show: May 25, N.C. Arboretum, 191/Brevard Road, Asheville. The show features award-winning roses of every color and size. Experts will be on hand to answer questions. Educational programs will be offered throughout the weekend. Free for Arboretum Society members, or with the standard parking fee $8 per personal motor vehicle. 665-2492 www.ncarboretum.org

Paddling

Mayors Cup Raft Race: June 2, French Broad River, Asheville, N.C.. City and county elected officials and staff will battle it out on the French Broad. The finish line is at the French Broad River Park on Amboy Road in Asheville. 251-6622

Guided tour of French Broad River paddle trail: June 8, French Broad River Park, Amboy Road, Asheville. Guided tour of the French Broad River paddle trail starting June 8 for two, four, five, or nine days. $575 for nine days, $600 after June 2; $375 five days (Saturday-Wednesday); $325 four days (Wednesday-Sunday; $175 for two days, June 8-9; WNCA members receive $25 discount for the week. Waterkeeper Alliance members receive $15 discount.. www.savethefrenchbroad.com

Lure of the Dragons Boat Races and Festival: June 15, Morse Park, Lake Lure. Teams of 11 rowers sit side-by-side on a 30-foot dragon boat and paddle at racing speeds. The festival offers family fun while showcasing a combination of Asian and Southern culture. www.lureofthedragons.org/

What Would Katniss Do?: May 25, East Picnic Shelter, Lake James State Park, 2785 NC 126, Nebo. Join Park Ranger Jamie Cameron on the Mills Creek Trail to discuss some of the tricks and techniques anyone can use to survive in the wilderness. Bring your copy of ?The Hunger Games,? as we?ll be reading passages from the book along the way. 652-5047

Star Gazing Event at Purchase Knob: May 31, Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center, Purchase Knob, US 276, near Maggie Valley, N.C.. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting a star gazing event. The event starts with an indoor presentation of what can be seen in the June nighttime skies, rain or shine. Reservations are required. 926-6251

Girls on the Run Spring 5K: May 18, Fletcher Park, Fletcher. Girls will be gathering for the grand finale of their 12-week participation in Girls on the Run. Our program fosters healthy lifestyle choices for girls in 3rd-8th grades. Early registration is $16, and $20 on the morning of the race. http://gotrwnc.kintera.org/Spring5K

Race for the World 5K: June 29, 8-11 a.m., Fletcher Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher. Race for the World 5K is a benefit run for an orphanage and school in Honduras. $15. Contact Adam Chacon abchacon@hotmail.com www.hondurasfountainoflife.org

Swimming Events

Open Water Swimming Clinic: May 19, 8-10:25 a.m., Biltmore Lake, 80 Lake Drive, Candler, North Carolina. Hosted by Asheville Masters Swimming. Learn to swim comfortably in open waters. This clinic just $20 for Asheville Triathlon Club members and $25 for non-members. Contact Andrew Pulsifer LifeSwim@gmail.com

Open Water Swimming Clinic: June 8, 8-10:25 a.m., Biltmore Lake, 80 Lake Drive, Candler, North Carolina. Hosted by Asheville Masters Swimming. Learn to swim comfortably in open waters. This clinic just $20 for Asheville Triathlon Club members and $25 for non-members. Contact Andrew Pulsifer LifeSwim@gmail.com

Blue Ridge Parkway: Blue Ridge Parkway, 199 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville. The most-visited unit of the National Park Service, stretching 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains in Cherokee. Call for road and weather conditions or visit website. 298-0398 www.nps.gov/blri

Chimney Rock Park Deals: May 16, Chimney Rock Park, 1638 Chimney Rock Park Rd, Chimney Rock. REI members receive $2 off adults and $1 off youth (ages 5 - 15) on regular-priced admission for up to six people at Chimney Rock. Show your REI membership card at Chimney Rock to receive the discount or come by the Asheville REI store to pick up your Chimney Rock coupon. www.chimneyrockpark.com

N.C. High Peaks Trail Association: N.C. High Peaks Trail Association, P.O. Box 24, Burnsville. Burnsville-based nonprofit that works to advance awareness, education, understanding and appreciation of nature, wildlife and the nautral environment in the North and South Toe River basins, Ivy Creek and the North Carolina Portion of the Nolichucky River in the mountains of WNC. www.nchighpeaks.org